A stretch of the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway passing through Gazipur’s Bhawal forest has become a visual attraction due to colorful flowers planted along its central divider. The four-lane road, one of the busiest in Bangladesh, now features white, pink, and red blossoms that delight travelers and pedestrians. Many visitors stop to take photos or videos, sharing them on social media, turning the highway into an emerging destination for nature lovers.

The beautification effort, led by the Gazipur Roads and Highways Department, includes thousands of saplings of various species such as krishnachura, radhachura, jarul, and raktokorobi. Officials say the project aims to make the highway both scenic and environmentally friendly. Environmentalists note that the greenery helps reduce air pollution, noise, and glare from vehicle headlights.

However, authorities and locals warn that uncontrolled crowds and risky behavior—such as standing on the divider for photos—pose safety hazards and threaten the plants. They urge stronger traffic enforcement and public awareness to preserve the beauty and safety of the area.

Incidents of fuel hoarding have increased across Bangladesh, prompting government action to prevent artificial shortages. Authorities have launched strict enforcement drives, leading to the detection and punishment of those storing large quantities of fuel illegally. In Sherpur, a mobile court fined a trader for storing 18,000 liters of diesel in a residential building without environmental clearance. In Jamalpur, police seized 3,010 liters of petrol and arrested 11 people for black-market sales, filing a case against 17 suspects.

In Chuadanga, officials reported no real fuel shortage but noted that panic buying by consumers fearing price hikes has intensified. Filling stations are struggling to manage the surge in demand, with daily sales rising significantly. In Gazipur’s Kapasia, a trader was fined for selling fuel above the government-fixed price, while in Tangail’s Sakhipur, two traders received five-day jail terms for illegal fuel storage and sales.

Officials stated that monitoring will continue to stabilize market prices and prevent exploitation of consumers through overpricing or hoarding.

The government of Bangladesh has proposed major amendments to strengthen laws protecting rivers, canals, and coastal areas. Under the draft National River Protection Commission (Amendment) Act 2026, illegal occupation of river land or obstruction of recovery operations will be treated as criminal offenses with doubled penalties. Unlawful extraction of sand, stones, or soil, as well as pollution or damage to navigability, could result in up to five years’ imprisonment and fines of up to 1.5 million taka. The draft also grants all rivers legal personhood and living entity status.

The proposed law aims to make the National River Protection Commission an independent statutory body with authority to investigate, inspect, and take legal action against river encroachment and pollution by any public or private entity. It would also serve as the legal guardian of rivers, canals, and coastal zones. Before any development project near rivers or canals, prior approval from the commission would be mandatory.

Environmental expert Sharif Jamil welcomed the initiative as a positive step for river protection but cautioned that the law’s effectiveness would depend on ensuring the commission’s independence and enforcement capacity.

The confluence of the Padma, Meghna, and Dakatia rivers in Chandpur has become a major attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists. Visitors are drawn by the area’s natural beauty, where the rivers meet to create a sea-like landscape. During Eid and other festive occasions, crowds gather to enjoy boat rides, local food, and the scenic sunset views. The site offers free entry, children’s play areas, and various entertainment options, making it a popular destination year-round.

Chandpur’s municipal administrator Ershad Uddin said the growing number of visitors during Eid has been challenging to manage. He noted that plans are underway to expand facilities at the confluence and the nearby “Mini Cox’s Bazar.” Local MP Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik stated that tourism development is part of his five-year plan, including a walkway from the New Market–Old Market Bridge to the launch terminal, new hotels, restaurants, cable cars, and floating eateries.

Officials said they intend to seek financial support from the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation to enhance the area’s infrastructure and make Chandpur’s tourist spots more attractive.

The BNP government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has launched an ambitious plan to create one crore jobs within the first 18 months of its tenure, prioritizing employment as a key election pledge. The plan targets nine priority sectors including industry, agriculture, information technology, SMEs, overseas employment, energy, retail trade, blue economy, and the informal sector. Ministries have been instructed to prepare coordinated action plans, with specific performance checklists to monitor progress.

Experts have praised the initiative’s scale but warned that achieving such a large employment target in a short time poses a serious challenge, especially amid global instability caused by the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran. The government’s plan includes reopening closed factories, waiving agricultural loans for 1.25 million farmers, and expanding IT training and startup support. It also envisions 600,000 green jobs through tree planting and waste management programs.

Analysts and business leaders, however, question the feasibility of the timeline, citing high energy costs, banking sector weaknesses, and limited foreign investment. They urge the government to adopt realistic strategies, create a favorable investment climate, and strengthen skilled workforce development.

A sudden midnight hailstorm struck Nilphamari district’s Domar and Jaldhaka upazilas late Saturday, causing extensive damage to crops and homes. The storm, accompanied by strong winds, left residents struggling as hail battered fields and rooftops, disrupting normal life in the affected areas.

According to local sources, large areas of farmland cultivating maize, chili, potato, and paddy were severely damaged, with many crops flattened to the ground. The intensity of the hailstorm also punctured tin roofs of numerous houses, allowing rainwater to enter and creating panic among residents. Several Hindu religious puja mandaps were also reported damaged.

Locals said they had not witnessed such a severe hailstorm in the past five to seven years. The Department of Agricultural Extension’s deputy director, Manjur Rahman, stated that field inspections are underway to assess the extent of the losses, though no official damage statistics have yet been released.

As the United States-Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week, global oil and gas markets face mounting pressure due to the near-total halt of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, which normally carries 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas, has seen traffic plunge by more than 95 percent since Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared it closed to certain nations. About 2,000 ships remain stranded, while some vessels from India, Pakistan, China, and Malaysia have been granted limited passage after securing Tehran’s approval.

In response, regional producers are turning to three key pipelines to bypass the strait: Saudi Arabia’s East-West Petroline, the UAE’s Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline, and Iraq’s Kirkuk-Ceyhan line to Turkiye. Combined, these routes can move around 9 million barrels per day—less than half the 20 million normally shipped through Hormuz. Saudi Arabia has sharply increased Petroline flows, but risks persist from potential Houthi attacks near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The UAE’s Fujairah exports have risen modestly, while Iraq’s pipeline remains underused.

Despite these efforts, analysts note that the pipelines’ limited capacity and vulnerability to missile and drone strikes mean they cannot fully replace the disrupted seaborne exports.

A vessel named MV Ubon Naree carrying 62,150 tons of wheat from the United States has arrived at the outer anchorage of Chattogram port, marking the second phase of wheat imports under a government-to-government arrangement. The Food Ministry announced the arrival in a press release on Friday, noting that sample testing of the wheat has already begun and unloading preparations are underway.

Of the total shipment, 37,290 tons will be unloaded at Chattogram port and the remaining 24,860 tons at Mongla port. The ministry confirmed that all wheat contracted under the agreements has now reached Bangladesh. Earlier, the first shipment brought in 58,457 metric tons of wheat.

According to the ministry, Bangladesh’s annual wheat demand stands at around 7 million tons, while domestic production is about 1 million tons. The remaining demand is met through imports by both government and private sectors.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has directed authorities to quickly recover nearly seven acres of encroached land belonging to the National Zoo in Mirpur, Dhaka. The instruction came during his unannounced visit to the zoo on Friday, where he entered as a regular visitor by purchasing a ticket. During the inspection, he also ordered immediate improvements in public facilities, including more toilets, expanded seating areas, road repairs, cleanliness, and an increase in the number of animals.

The minister stated that the visit aimed to assess the zoo’s management and environment firsthand. He spoke with zoo officials about animal nutrition, health management, and overall care, and also interacted with visitors to understand their concerns and expectations. He emphasized that visible development work must begin within the current budget.

Tuku noted that while food supply for animals was satisfactory, visitors expected a better environment. He said necessary steps would be taken to make the zoo more organized and visitor-friendly, highlighting its potential as a profitable and attractive public facility.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has initiated the process for disbursing Boishakhi allowances to MPO-listed teachers and employees across Bangladesh ahead of the Bengali New Year. The electronic fund transfer (EFT) bill submission option has been activated in the DSHE’s software, allowing institutions to submit bills online. This move is expected to ensure timely payments and remove uncertainty for several hundred thousand teachers and staff before the festival.

According to the DSHE’s EMIS Cell, the activation of the online submission system aims to prevent technical complications and guarantee that all eligible recipients receive their allowances on schedule. EMIS Cell programmer Md. Zahir Uddin urged teachers and employees to submit their bills as soon as possible to expedite the process.

While the Boishakhi allowance process is progressing, the proposal for March salaries has not yet reached the Ministry of Education. Bill submissions for March salaries began on Wednesday and will continue until Saturday, after which the verified bills are expected to be sent to the ministry by mid or late next week.

A total of 5,000 metric tons of diesel arrived in Bangladesh from India’s Numaligarh Refinery in Assam through a cross-border pipeline, reaching the Parbatipur railhead depot in Dinajpur late Thursday night. The delivery was confirmed Friday by the depot’s assistant in-charge, who said the transfer took about 60 hours. The diesel was distributed Friday morning to the Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna depots, with Padma receiving 18,500 metric tons.

According to official sources, the pipeline was established under a 15-year agreement signed on October 22, 2017, between Bangladesh and India to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply for irrigation and transport in eight northern districts. The agreement allows Bangladesh to import up to 180,000 metric tons of diesel in 2026. So far, 5,000 metric tons arrived in February and another 5,000 on March 11.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has proposed importing an additional 50,000 tons of diesel through the same pipeline within the next four months to meet growing demand.

The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has announced that individuals providing specific information about illegal fuel stockpiling will receive rewards. The decision, disclosed on Friday, March 27, 2026, aims to prevent an artificial fuel crisis across the country. Vigilance teams have already been formed in all districts to monitor fuel supply and identify illegal storage activities.

According to the ministry, a formal reward announcement will be made soon to encourage citizens to share concrete complaints and suggestions. Field-level operations have begun to curb illegal hoarding, including a raid in Chattogram’s Patenga area where approximately 6,000 liters of diesel stored in 30 drums were seized.

Authorities stated that district administrations are now taking strict measures to maintain discipline in the energy sector and ensure normal supply. All fuel depots, petrol pumps, and traders are under close surveillance, and similar operations will continue regularly in the public interest.

The Petrol Pump Owners Association has urged the public to remain calm amid recent fuel shortages across Bangladesh, assuring that the supply situation will return to normal from Saturday. The association issued a statement on Friday, requesting consumers not to panic and to collect fuel as usual.

According to the statement, the temporary fuel shortage occurred because the regular supply chain was disrupted during March due to an unusually high number of government holidays. This led to some petrol pumps running out of stock in several parts of the country. The association’s convener, Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul, described the current rush at petrol stations as unprecedented in his 50 years of business and called for restraint from consumers.

The association reaffirmed that the supply process has already been restored and that full normalization is expected from Saturday, easing the temporary disruption experienced earlier in the week.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit announced that the Bangladesh government is providing a daily subsidy of Tk 16.7 billion on fuel to reduce public hardship. He made the statement on Friday at a meeting held at the Jessore Deputy Commissioner’s office during a check distribution event for distressed and underprivileged individuals organized by the Department of Social Services.

The minister said that despite global instability, the government has no plan to raise fuel prices, as such an increase would raise costs for electricity, public transport, and food, putting pressure on ordinary citizens. He added that while many countries have raised fuel prices, Bangladesh has maintained stable prices and ensured normal supply. The government has also secured sufficient fuel supply until April and initiated efforts to maintain a 90-day reserve.

Amit further mentioned that the government is implementing its election pledges, including the launch of the Family Card program and plans to introduce a Farmer Card on Pahela Baishakh. The event concluded with financial aid checks distributed to 153 distressed individuals.

Global crude oil prices rose above $110 per barrel on March 27, 2026, as fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East intensified. Brent crude futures reached $110.12 per barrel, while U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate stood at $94.85. The market is assessing the risk of prolonged supply interruptions, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil and LNG shipments.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has created severe instability in energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz, which typically handles about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and LNG flows, is now under heavy strain, with traffic reportedly near a standstill. Investors are focusing more on the potential for a long-term conflict than on daily diplomatic developments.

According to the International Energy Agency, the current supply shock is more severe than the combined impact of the 1970s oil crisis and the Russia-Ukraine gas disruptions. Reuters reported that global oil supply has fallen by about 11 million barrels per day.